An empty ship here full of goods. Could this be a test or reward from Besmara. A ghost ship maybe that wants to sail into the mist with us to never be seen again. We should be cautions.
Alistar takes the next few minutes walking the ship scanning it and everything with detect evil before letting the crew start to touch the cargo.
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You are, however, 100% sure this is a Sczarni ship. It's eerily similar to the one that kidnapped you many years ago, though not close enough to make you think it's the same one.
Alistar takes up the items and reports back to the others what he found.
"Nothing, I found nothing wrong besides these items are drained. They still show as if magic, but no longer have any power. This is very strange I don't know of anything that could have done this. Could be a bad omen. Not sure if we should take her as a prize or not. It's up to you captain. What should the men do?"
Sunny skips over to Noro,
"Whut's a 'Scarsy'?" She asks.
To the captain Suny offers to take a look beneath the waves for any signs of... anything....
Sunny gives Noro a friendlily, re-assuring hug to let the other woman know that she has a friend in Sunny. (^_^)
Then skips back over to the Captain and bounces to attention.
"Permission ta' be goin' lookin' in'a waters about tha' place?!" She asks.
Noro, take 4 crew members and gather all of the cargo that we can hold. Sunny, Do not get in the water, there is bound to be something in there that will get you and we're not in the best of shape to be rescuing you
never leaving the ship, but looking to the other ship as our party boards the other ship and reboards ours with cargo.
Let's Move it, it's getting odd, here!
Make ready for leaving!
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Noro is able to recover all of the valuable cargo from the Sczarni vessel, and it fits into your cargo hold well enough that the dinosaur and the few valuable you managed to recover from the Azlanti fortress don't get squished too badly.
After a few hours The Horned Trader is ready to set sail again.
"... Sunny, Do not get in the water, there is bound to be something in there that will get you and we're not in the best of shape to be rescuing you."
Sunny bounces to a salute in reply to her Captain, before scampering off and keeping a very watchful eye over the sides just in case what ever might be lurking below decides to come aboard and pay every one a visit.
Once underway again, Sunny does her best to help 'man' the ship.
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The last few entries are disturbing. It talks of sailors onboard the ship seeing an all black vessel, bigger than any pirate ship, almost as big as the gargantuan Cheliax Dominator class pirate hunter ships.
However, they only ever saw it out the corner of their eyes. If they turned to look, it would be gone, only to appear in their peripheral vision once more a few minutes later. The sightings would become more and more frequent, as more and more sailors claimed to have them, until eventually the captain began seeing it as well. The last entry describes the captain's sight:
I saw it today, the massive black ship the rest of the crew has been claiming to see. Like something straight out of hell, it was. I could just feel it... watching me, waiting for something. I fear for our lives. All it ever does is follow, and try as hard as I could, I could see no motion on the deck. The sails were full billowed, though there was no wind.
Please, if something happens to The Miriam's Love, and someone finds this logbook, do what you can to save us. I fear our souls are at stake. And if you can't save us... then at least let our families know our fate.
After that is a full list of the sailor's on board and the locations of their families.
You recognize one of the names, the first mate. Branson Creed. He was one of the Sczarni you worked for in Magnimar. An unforgiving man, who surely would have taken offense to you leaving. As to why he was on that ship, as the first mate, is a mystery.
The next few days pass without incident, and finally Rickety's Squibbs comes into view. The crew cheers when Sunny gives a cheerful
Land 'ho!! Right there, ya see? It's all green an' stuffs!!, and they make ready for landfall. As your ship pulls toward the bay, a lighthouse on the edge of the port flashes a green flag at you, giving you the go ahead. When you are about 100 feet from the docks, a longboat carrying five men starts heading your way.
When it comes alongside you, the men board quickly, revealing five armed guards (dirks and studded leather armor) and one spry old fellow who introduces himself as Rickety.
Ahoy thurr, I be Rickety, repairer o' fine vessels such as The Horned Trader here... But I ain't fer seein' tha usual crew. I assume yer here fer more than a hull patch then?
He knowingly winks at you, and you can tell he knows exactly what happened to the ship. To any confused looks as to how he knew right away the name of the ship, he guffaws.
Mate, me job be knowin' every ship on these waters, especially tha ones I aint fer wantin in me port. I be glad ye took tha Trader. Right a$+%%%+s those demon spawn were. Now lemme see what I need ta be doin'.
He spends about twenty minutes going over the ship, making little notes and noises to himself as he looks. Finally, he comes back and hands Harvey a slip of paper.
This be yer cost fer a basic squibbin'. It'll get ye outta here wi' a new name an' a new ship profile, what ta keep tha Chels, an tha other Free Captains off yer asses. I put a list at tha bottom o' what extras I can be puttin' on here fer ye, an' tha prices. Iffen ye agree, ye can stay at the lodgin's on me island, an all yer cargo'll go into a safe warehouse tha only me and yerself'll have tha key to. What's yer answer Captain Dagger?
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Noro follows Rickety and the group around. she seemed interested in something. looking for a chance to speak with him.
during the final days before pulling into Squibbs, Noro shares what she found out in the log book. she asks that it all be kept secret for now. she does not want the rest of the crew to know her association with the Sczarni.
Once the ship is docked and business is being taken care of by the Captain, Sunny wastes no time before scampering ashore and seeing all there is to be seeing. (^_^)
Captain, I too will take my leave. I will make sure Sunny stays out of trouble." Alistar will follow off after Sunny thinking how good a cold Ale will taste with a nice bowl of stew and some bread. Rationing food the last few days was starting to take its toll on his thoughts.
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Rickety looks over the list that Harvey gives him and nods.
Aye, We can be gettin' ye set up right good in a fair time.
He motions to the squad of men in his boat, and one of them waves a green flag. Two large towboats come out of the port, and two the Trader into the dry docks. A squad of men then unloads the cargo, putting everything but the Azlanti Artifacts into Rickety's warehouse (to pay for the squibbing), and carefully puts the artifacts into a smaller one, directly adjacent to the building you'll be staying in for the time that it takes to get your ship squibbed. They give Harvey and Alistair the only two keys, with the warning that if those two are lost, it'll be fifty gold apiece to buy new ones and new locks.
After that business is settled, you may do whatever you wish. There are several gear shops, a weaponsmith, a shrine to Besmara, a shrine to Abadar, a small hut that promises exquisite magical prowess at making magical items, two taverns, an inn (which you won't be staying in; paying customers get free room and board in Rickety's private cabins), a resident priest of Abadar, and what appears to be a grouping of houses for the people that call the island home.
Other than that, it's mostly just the conversations you'd expect at a port tavern, until a man in a long black cloak approaches you. He sits beside you, and speaks quietly.
You just arrived, haven't you? My... associates are looking for information on a missing asset of theirs. The Miriam's Love, a small cargo vessel separated from its fleet. If you've seen it or heard of it, they'd be much appreciative...
And she's happy to relate anything she can or knows to those asking.
She also adds her own tales of what she knows/has heard rumors of (A ship, t'is said, sailed by a Teiflin' sooo evil.. Lady Besmara herself daren't take her below) etc. (^_^)
after the Squibing has started I call Noro into my room and talk with her.
Noro, whatever you have done in the past or whom you have been in the past is not an issue with me, I took several days to think it over and came to this conclusion, you have shown to me and the others that you have been faithful to us at this point. As long as you remain so, there will be no mention of anything that you do not want to mention. I do not wish to loose a valuable crew member at all. please let me know if we can help you out in anything either, we all have our personal demons to deal with, Now, mine bears more then I wanted, but we shall handle it together. Noro, I do have one task for you this day if you can accept from me, we are looking for another Acrane spellcaster to help Olhas out. See if you can recruit us one
GM question about the Dinosaur, did we loose that or is it still in the hold? I might have missed it as well. but Who knows.
"Sunny we must go check out this slave ship and it's cargo. I will not suffer another to be a slave as long as I draw breath. I have lived that life. Besmara pulled me out of it and put me in the open sea. Everyman deserves a chance to be free."
As the man speaks Alistar takes a moment to recall if he has heard of this ship before.
Not sure wich Knowledge it falls under but all mine are the same.
After Alistar recalls the information he speaks to the man.
"I know of this ship. Are members of the fleet here. What type of appreciation are we talking about. My friend and I have business to attend now, but we could meet back here later if you have a contact."
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Noro nods, understanding the order, but there is a little apprehension in her. Captain, it aint my pasht that worriesh me. Itsh what's f%*%ing huntinng it. Shomething ish out there. That log is a warning. You have given me a home when i had none. I'll do my besht, but with reshpect, what the f%#* do I know about shpellcashters.
Noro shrugs at her dilema, and is ready to carry out the order.
Later, Noro heads out, going to the nearest tavern for some drinks. She keeps an eye open for trouble and an ear to what goes on around here.
[ooc]whoops, forgot the name of it :)[/oob]
"Sir I do have information on this ship. If you would point us to the interested men I will pass it on."
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As these events take place, evening begins to come about. As the light outside begins to fade, you see the lighthouse at the tip of the bay flare up, and the people in the port town all begin to leave their jobs for the day. Some go home, many go to the taverns, and many more go the village square, where various games are being set up, such as bowling, knife throwing, and various card and board games. The place seems very happy, and relaxed.
She gives the basic outline of where the ship was when she and the crew found it but other than that? The best she can offer is to maybe know who might have an idea where any other ships have been found.. If,indeed, other ships have been found? Maybe there's a pattern?
As I make my way back to the place that they gave us to sleep I take a quick check around the island to make sure that there is nothing that appears to be out of the ordinary
Once everyone is gathered back at the boat the next day
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Listen up crew! We've got several days here, make your time useful and make smart choices. We will be leaving 2 hours after the squibing is done with or without you. To my Mates Please see me at the Tavern in 2 hours time, we have openings to discuss, and plans.
"Aye, we met the ship. We found her empty of all crew and all goods. Seemed ghostly. I couldn't detect anything of the sort, but something just fellt off about if. If you have any maps or charts I can mark where she sits for you.
This is for the part about the ship being found empty. Great roll he probably realizes something is not true in what I say unless he rolls poorly as well.
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You aren't quite sure who he works for but it's not them.
My employers will be most grateful. When you need us, the Consortium will be there to aid you. We will find you when that time comes.
As he strides out of the door, his cloak becomes clearly visible, and on its back is a sigil of three snakes intertwined.
As you make your way to the building that Rickety pointed out as your temporary bunk for the next week or so, you all see a cloaked figure sitting on the small fence in front of it. When the figure sees you all, it jumps down and makes it way to you.
When you finally run into each other, the figure pulls it hood down to reveal none other than Laurastine Valerian, the person who masqueraded on your crew as a pirate, revealed herself to be an agent of Corlean Hanscombe, and sent you into the Azlanti fortress to recover the chest.
When you realize who she is, she smiles.
We have a lot to discuss... By you being here I assume you have the chest? Though, it seems you lost most of your original crew.. I assume they are dead? No matter, all we care about is that chest. Corlean will be quite pleased to know you came through. Where is it? I need to take it to him posthaste.
She sneers as she talks. It's apparent she looks down on you, and she could care less who died getting what she and Corlean Hanscombe wanted.
"Please ma'am we do have a lot to discuss. What about those who died? I am Captain now since our last meeting. I have several questions about that chest first. We were told by you that we are to deliver it to him personally.
There are five loot points worth of slaves, two loot points of standard trade goods (silks, ores, spices, and exotic lumber), and a dinosaur worth ten loot points to Corlean Hanscombe.
Well, it seems Hanscombe wants me to spill the beans. Oh well. Delben, it's no accident you arrived here. I purposefully altered your calculations per Hanscombes request. See, he has agents on almost every trading ship in the shackles, and neither the Grin or the Trader were any different. As soon as you mutinied on the Grin, he knew because I was his agent, there to keep the Smiling Bastard in line and make sure he took certain payments where they were supposed to go. As as soon as you took the tiefling's ship, he knew. I believe you killed his agent on there though. We never know who each other are, but I haven't seen any rings of sending like I have. Either way, Hanscombe wants you here because he wants something from that place, and he believes you are strong enough to get it. He's a collector, if you haven't noticed, of rarities and the like. A small metal chest, with four locks on the front. On the sides are embossings of ships circling a hurricane. After you get it, you are to personally deliver it to him. He wants to meet the lot of you to discuss... Business. Any other riches you find in there are yours to keep.
So ye will be telling me where to find this Hanscombe now. I wants me payment for it as well. You can tell him thru that ring of yours that the payment has just doubled too, since I have lost all but me from the original crew
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Laurastine tosses her head back and laughs heartily.
You thought I was going to take it and leave you here? No, no, silly pirate. You're to come with me as soon as your ship is done. Hanscombe likes to look over his property after a gain like this, be it shiny chests or pirate captains.
She eyes the group again and then smiles.
I'm sure he'll be pleased with his new crew. As for the ones that died... They are of no concern to you or him. They were pirates, they knew the occupational hazards.
She starts walking back toward the building that you are bunked in and speaks over her shoulder at you.
I do, however, need to take a look inside the chest, and make sure the item inside is still intact and correct. Hanscombe would be most unhappy if his venture failed. I assume you have it with you in your room?
Then she turns around suddenly, and puts her hands on her hips in indignation.
And why did you resist my sending spell twice in a row? I had a contingent spell placed on all of the original crew so that when they came into contact with that item, it would trigger a sending spell so I could tell you where to meet me! Twice you shut me off! Twice!
Excuse me lass? No Concern for my crew? they are my crew. I have concern for all of them.
looking back at the crew
These pirates are my crew like I said, not Hansombes. I'll take my payment for the chest and the dino and we'll be off
turning away from Laurastine and turning to Sunny and Alister Winking at sunny
gather the locked chest from the storage room and bring it here post haste for our guest, we will be right here waiting for your return.
Thoughts begin to race through Alistar's head.
Oh no... What are we going to do? At least this guy didn't pay up front so we don't owe him any money. Guess we will see how the captain wants to play this. Already making new enemies I'm sure. Can't be helped now.
Alistar shakes his head and then heads toward the building.
Sunny bounces to attention upon being addressed by Captain Dagger before she spins about and dashes off to carry out his orders.
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Harvey grasps the orb, and for a few second seems to concentrate hard. After a moment, though, the orb becomes liquid, blue as the sea but as viscous as honey, and covers the man's hand. It then seeps into his skin, and forms into a tattoo on the top of his hand, roughly the size of a baseball. The tattoo is of a hurricane. His eyes become as blue as the sea, with the white shapes of clouds occasionally drifting across.
Suddenly, a massive gust of wind rips across the ship, knocking some of the sailors to the deck, and blowing several items into the water. The wind whirls around, and forms a slight tornado-esque whirlwind around Harvey before dissipating.
There aren't any contents. The orb is a part of Harvey now.
At the box with Sunny
"So whats the plan, I saw the captain wink at you. We have nothing that looks like that thing, but on the other hand they don't know what it looked like. As I barely knew anything about it. We nned a magical boble of some sort to put in there. I have a meditation crystal, but it doesn't radiate magic even when charged. Do you have any ideas Sunny?"
He looks to the small elf.
"So nothing huh? Looks like we will have to talk our way out."
Alistar makes sure the box is locked and secure. He picks it up and brings it out to the others.
"Here it is captain. The chest we found."
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Noro was silent during the whole situation. she kind of recalled this person. but that was really not very important to her.
Her position among this crew seems to basically be the enforcer, the Captain's bodyguard if need be.
this mission was not hers, still when payment comes around she will claim her share.